Key moments in WSU’s 17-12 defeat to Minnesota in Holiday Bowl

Field position jump starts Golden Gophers

The Minnesota offense could not put together a scoring drive against the Washington State defense early on, going three-and-out on its first drive and failing to cross midfield in three attempts. But the Minnesota defense forced a three-and-out of its own halfway through the second quarter, and a short WSU punt gave the Golden Gophers the ball on the WSU 40. Minnesota mustered a game-tying field goal to get back on equal footing with the Cougars.

Tip-drill turns into touchdown

Neither team could summon much offense, but at least the Cougars were ahead 6-3 in the middle of the third quarter. It appeared that the worst Minnesota could do was tie the game when quarterback Mitch Leidner’s 3rd-and-8 pass was tipped by Marcellus Pippins in the end zone. But wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky caught the ball on its way to the ground, scoring a touchdown and giving the Gophers a lead they would not relinquish.

Interception puts Gophers in control

Luke Falk has led many a fourth quarter comeback during his time as the Washington State quarterback, and he had a chance for more heroics with the ball at his own 18-yard line and the Cougars trailing 10-6 with 4:40 left in the game. A 23-yard pass to Robert Lewis was a promising start to the drive, but on 4th-and-6 Falk’s pass was intercepted by Ayinde Adekunle, setting the Gophers up in WSU territory with the lead, the ball and not much time left in the game.